by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $20,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on Dec. 26, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Checking up on Catskill Steve: Last Saturday, I invested $8 and had one short priced winner.

Meet totals: 89 plays, 12 winning Pick-4s, +$330.60

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 9-12, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015

$1 play: 157/58/4/12 = $12

Analysis:

Race 9: (7) Smoke Rings is 0 for 20 on the year but fast finishing 6-year-old paced a 1:22.2 final three-quarters, rallying from far back in latest and had two solid placings prior, finishing with :54.1 final half which included a :26.3 final panel three back. Appears on edge and can wrap up the year by breaking out of slump from this spot. (5) Make It Work had a tough spot against better in latest. The 9-year-old is hard to knock, having won 24 times over past two seasons and gets in against softer from better post. (1) Scary Harry brushed to the top turning for home and looked like a winner, only to get nailed on the wire despite finishing in :27.3. The sophomore has displayed some ability in his brief career and appears heading in the right direction to wrap up the year.

Race 10: (5) Hello My Dream is a fast 4-year-old that seems to be inching her way back into form, just missing in wire-to-wire try from post nine last time. (8) Shez A Swift narrowed in gamely to just miss in 1:53.1 mile last time after leaving for position in :27.1 opening quarter.

Race 11: (4) As Seely Promised was in tough from post nine against winners over group in local debut, paced a 1:22.3 final three-quarters but was too far back to menace. Takes key drop, finds better spot and should be a handful.

Race 12: In the final race before Balmoral closes its doors, (2) Big Brad couldn’t have found a softer spot, has too much class for these and how fitting would it be to have the fastest freshman pacer in Balmoral history take the finale. (1) Jerrico gets the rail and looks to have the best shot at beating top one but will need best.

Good luck!